Friday, February 24, 2006

FLAG requests Chief Justice to keep courts open

We write on behalf of the FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE GROUP [FLAG] to respectfully request Your Honor to issue a directive to all Executive Judges nationwide to keep the Courts open and functioning this weekend, for purposes of receiving and processing applications for bail.

Our request is based upon this afternoon’s arrest of at least thirty-five (35) persons, many of whom we represent, and the announcement by Palace officials of impending arrests, pursuant to Proclamation 1017. We are concerned that since Courts normally don’t function during weekends, our clients and others similarly situated may find themselves imprisoned for periods longer than those prescribed by law.

About FLAG

The Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) is a nation-wide human rights lawyers organization committed to the protection and promotion of human rights and civil liberties. It was founded in 1974 by Jose W. Diokno, Lorenzo Tanada Sr. and Joker Arroyo.

It espouses a non-traditional view of law and society, the role of lawyers and the use of law as an instrument of societal transformation called Developmental Legal Advocacy (DLA). Among its many advocacies are those against political repression, military and police abuses, death penalty.

FLAG has taken the lead in prosecuting erring military and policemen; these efforts have led to landmark decisions in habeas corpus as well as command responsibility. It has also questioned, in appropriate cases, in the Supreme Court the constitutionality of the death penalty, and the Visiting Forces Agreement, among many others.

Through the use of primers, FAQs, statements and position papers, FLAG has also made full use of the educative function and role of lawyers, consistent with its belief that the legal process is but part of a larger process that should involve those who are directly affected by a problem.